But it has failed to find a single buyer, and has now been placed in the hands of administrators.

The move, despite strong like-for-like sales over Christmas, hits 14 of its stores in London and southeast England.

It also affects its factory in Walthamstow.

“Despite strong like-for-like sales in the pre-Christmas period, the picture moving into 2018 has been dramatically different and this has impacted the search and scope for new investment,” said administrator Allan Graham.

WARREN EVANS

TOUGH TIMES: The brand's collapse is a mirror image of the UK High Street

We miss WOOLWORTHS! The beloved heart of the British high street

From the famous pick 'n' mix to buying the latest albums, Woolworths had it all, and was a fixture in every high street in Britain. It closed its doors in 2008, and is keenly missed by generations who grew up with it

1 / 18

Bloomberg via Getty Images

A familiar sight in every high street in Britain

“Warren Evans is rightly recognised as one of the UK’s leading bed, mattress and furniture retailers, but trading conditions are exceptionally challenging with the business hit by rising manufacturing costs and the continued squeeze on consumer wallets and confidence.”

The news comes amid dark times for UK retailers, with Toys R Us, Morrisons, Marks and Spencer, Topshop/Topman, B&Q, Homebase and East all recently announcing hundreds of jobs are at risk.

And with speculation rife over the future of fashion giants New Look, the coming months for the once-great High Street is looking bleak as online retail continues to surge.